All fish / Labridae

Monsoon Fairy Wrasse

Cirrhilabrus hygroxerus

Also known as monsoon fairy wrasse, monsoon wrasse, hygroxerus fairy wrasse, wet-dry fairy wrasse, モンスーンフェアリーラス, 季风丝隆头鱼

A small fairy wrasse described in 2016. Males have a reddish to magenta body with yellow and purple tones and a long, colourful dorsal fin, and they put on vivid flashing displays. It is kept because it is active, colourful and safe with corals, so it suits reef tanks well.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

8 cm

Temperature

23 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

One male with one or more females; only one male per tank unless the tank is very large

Diet

Carnivore: mysis, enriched brine shrimp, copepods, finely chopped seafood and quality marine pellets, fed several times daily

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 6 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Eastern Indian Ocean: northwestern Australia (Rowley Shoals, Scott Reef), Timor Sea and Lesser Sunda Islands

Breeding

Like other fairy wrasses it is a protogynous hermaphrodite, so females can turn into males, and pairs spawn in open water at dusk. The tiny pelagic eggs and larvae are very hard to rear, and captive breeding is rare.

Good to know

It is a strong jumper, so the tank needs a tight lid or mesh cover. It is seldom imported and looks a lot like other Cirrhilabrus species, so check identification and avoid keeping two males together.